Wink 2 vs SmartThings: Comparison & Reviews

There are several Smart home hub devices on the market, all claiming user-friendliness and efficiency. Which one wins?

There’s so much to consider such as installation, supported devices, configuration, app, connectivity and support. Our review will help you pick between some of the most popular hubs available: How does the Wink hub 2 compare vs the Samsung SmartThings hub?

Main differences are that the Wink 2 doesn’t have a battery backup or online support forums, like the SmartThings hub. However, the Wink 2 has an easier setup. Wink 2 vs Smartthings: Which is better to pick for your home?

Key Differences Between Wink 2 and SmartThings

Compatibility. This hub is compatible with Nest, Kidde, Canary and August, to name a few. Unfortunately, Lifx lights are not compatible with the Wink 2, but Lutron lights are. The auto discovery grid makes setup and connection to these lights & other connections a breeze.

The Wink 2 supports Lutron Clear Connect, Z-Wave and ZigBee, Thread, Ethernet & Wi-Fi. It also has built-in Bluetooth compatibility. This hub is compatible with over 100 devices which is possibly one of its most attractive features.

Some of these include Skybell, Wemo and Arlo. Unfortunately, Canary, Nest and August won’t work. The SmartThings hub supports Z-Wave, Z-Wave Plus, ZigBee, wired ethernet and Wi-Fi.

Automation. The Robot feature on the app assists with automation and can group certain activities such as a morning or evening routine. This could prove convenient in waking up in the mornings or getting home in the afternoons as it will automatically light, unlock/lock & arm/disarm your security camera system.

Automation is broken down in the SmartThings hub in “routines.” It is possible to preprogramme certain daily routines to switch on lights, set thermostats and arm or disarm security systems. The configuration is simple and easy to use.

Installation. Initial setup should be as fast and hassle-free as possible. The installation of both these devices are straightforward and they come with user manuals for guidance. The difference is that Wink 2 doesn’t offer the support forum that SmartThings does.

This could be a handy tool should you get confused. Luckily the fact that installation is quite simple, means this isn’t a huge drawback for this excellently designed device. Installation should only take you a few minutes as the simple configuration is well thought out for the average home user; you don’t need an IT expert to figure it out. The SmartThings installation is slightly more complex vs its competitor, but there’s nothing that requires an expert on hand. It has one of the most advanced automation setups so is well worth it.

Setup and connectivity. The Wink app is intuitive and easy to set up & operate. The response time from the app to the connected devices is slightly delayed in comparison, but by mere milliseconds.

Connection to the smart devices that you will be using is fast and interactive in the initial setup. Compared to this, the setup on the SmartThings Hub is very slightly more complex than that of the Wink 2.

The only difference is that the SmartThings Hub does not have the step by step animation that the Wink 2 offers but is still not difficult to get started. The SmartThings Hub has a marginally fast response time compared to the Wink 2 Hub.

Both of these hubs are brilliant in their own right. Neither of the competitors has any major downfalls, but it really boils down to what is best suited for your specific needs.

Deciding on the right device for your home would relate to the matter of connectivity to existing devices in your home vs what you think are nice features of the hub.

If you have already installed Arlo Cameras or Lifx lights, the Wink 2 would not be the ideal option. The same applies to Canary, Nest and August when it comes to the SmartThings device.

Also, the fact that your entire configuration will need to be manually reloaded when upgrading to a newer version of the SmartThings device, could be a bit of a pain.

Wink has made such a transition easy enough for you. You can transfer all already connected devices to your new hub without much effort at all. This scores it some brownie points.

The SmartThings hub offers more connectivity than the Wink 2, but the range has been said to be a challenge according to customer reviews.

When it comes to design and durability, the Wink 2 seems to be the better way to go. The sleek design looks stylish and modern & fits into a home environment perfectly.

The SmartThings design hasn’t changed much through the different models, keeping the typical boxy look with small changes here and there like more rounded corners.

Everything that works with Wink 2, can link with SmartThings, but not the other way around. If compatibility is your priority, the SmartThings Hub would probably be the way to go. Now, are you ready to enjoy the ultimate in modern living?